Any thoughts or experience on this ship? It's been dubbed "The Most Luxurious Ship in the World". Curious if anyone thinks it lives up to the hype.

top suite is 1st full width, and 1st living room more than half width
at front of ship, on top deck with only a handful of other suites
floor to ceiling windows also look great vs most, not crazy rates
2nd largest after NCL garden villas, which arent at front of ship
(and larger than largest published Crystal Exclusive residences)

for some of us the size of the ship is still really unpleasant

Farbster just started a trip report re his cruise on Explorer.

Were booked on an itinerary from Rome to Venice on 9/14. Remind me to post a review.

??? Does Flyertalk have some autoreminder function like that?

No - the post was for interested parties to remind me.

Bon Voyage! Looking forward to hearing about your experience.

I've been enjoying farbster's trip report (in the Trip Report forum here) Great photos! (drooling over some of the food - it's a bad forum for me to read, really)

thanks for the tip about the report! Such a great read, and yes - drooling over the food here too! Looks amazing!!!!

if you think that food looks amazing, check out some of the best land properties (not "hotels") that have rates that include food, alcohol, etc.

Well I've returned from the cruise on the Explorer. The public areas are really spectacular - maybe a bit Las Vegas though. We were booked in a G category cabin (second lowest). Frankly the layout was rather awkward. The walkway at the foot of the bed is a bit too narrow, especially for trips to the bathroom at night when some of the duvet may have fallen on the floor. Also, the TV is mounted for viewing only form the bed, doesn't swivel at all so it's nearly impossible to view from the sofa. Bathroom and closet is also a little small, but not really an issue. If I were to book this ship again, I'd book F2 category for a little more since those cabins are much more comfortable with bed facing out with large closet and bathroom (separate tub and shower with dual sinks).

This is different from Regent's other ships, Voyager and Mariner, where all cabins below the penthouse categories are exactly the same.